Species

Justification
This species is classified as Near Threatened because it is known from only two tiny, widely separated, locations where habitat is thought to be secure. Were fieldwork to reveal its presence at other locations it may warrant downlisting to Least Concern. Conversely, if habitat is lost at either of the currently known sites, it may be uplisted to a higher category of threat.

Taxonomic source(s)
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Distribution and population
Pitohui incertus is known from two tiny areas of New Guinea: about 90 km up the Noord River in Papua, formerly Irian Jaya (Indonesia) and 320 km to the east, between Kiunga and the Palmer Junction on the Fly River (Papua New Guinea) (Diamond and Raga 1978, Beehler et al. 1986, Coates 1990). It may prove to be widespread across the northern Trans-Fly region since studies in its habitat have been restricted to these two locations (Diamond and Raga 1978). It appears to be common in the two known localities (P. Gregory in litt. 1994, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1996, Eastwood 1998, B. Whitney in litt. 2000).

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is described as locally fairly common to common.

Trend justification
The species's habitat is thought to be secure at the two known sites and no threats are known; thus the population is suspected to be stable.

Ecology
It occurs in seasonally flooded lowland forest, usually with a broken canopy and open middle storey, on flat subcoastal plains; in areas of high annual rainfall (more than 3,750 mm).

Threats
Its habitat is not thought to be under threat at present, but if it is only present in these two sites, any degradation of the habitat at either site would be detrimental the long-term survival of the species.

Conservation actions underway
None is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Survey in suitable habitat between the two known locations to locate additional sub-populations. Monitor habitat trends at the two known sites. Protect significant areas of forest at the two sites where it is currently known to occur.

References
Beehler, B. M.; Pratt, T. K.; Zimmerman, D. A. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

Diamond, J. M.; Raga, M. N. 1978. The Mottled-breasted Pitohui Pitohui incertus. Emu 78: 49-53.

Coates, B. J. 1990. The birds of Papua New Guinea, 2: passerines. Dove, Alderley, Australia.

Eastwood, C. 1998. Birding on the Elevala River, Western Province, PNG. Australian Birding: 11-12.

Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Derhé, M., Dutson, G., Mahood, S., O'Brien, A.

Contributors
Bishop, K., Gregory, P., Whitney, B.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Pitohui incertus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

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